Short Pratt Truss Bridge Updated

This is the updated design of my Short Pratt Truss Bridge made from popsicle sticks. The only difference from the original was the addition of 4 more popsicle sticks in key areas. I doubled up the angled sticks on each end, and made the lateral bracing into an X shape rather than a zig-zag pattern.

This bridge used 50 popsicle sticks, weighed 75 grams, and held 200 pounds. It’s efficiency score was 1212, which is the highest out of any popsicle stick bridge I have ever built.

Here is a video showing the testing of the bridge:

How this Bridge Broke

The video makes it pretty clear how the bridge failed. The first stick to go was on the left end closest to us (on the first part of the movie). The bridge slowly started to lean to the left as this stick was probably a weaker one, and it started to bend more and more until it finally buckled. As soon as it broke off, the rest of the bridge collapsed. This is sweet to see on this video clip because quite often the reason a bridge broke is not easily seen.

One way to help avoid this from happening on your bridges is to pay extra close attention to the quality of your popsicle sticks. If you have solid popsicle sticks that make up your bridge, then your entire structure is more likely to be solid.

Plans for this Bridge

If you want to build this bridge, I am offering the blueprints I used to build it. You also get step-by-step instructions with the purchase which clearly explain everything you need to know about building this bridge. Check out these plans today:

Unfortunately the potential efficiency of a bridge decreases as the length increases. You would have to use different materials and perhaps even a completely different design to keep the same efficiency if you made this bridge longer.

Classic design! One question though, if I were to expand the width of the bridge since i need it to span 24″, how would I need to compensate- just a stronger base? Or would I have to change the height accordingly? Because I dont want to add any more sticks than I need to

That is an interesting and true observation, Travis. The truss analysis diagram does show how the load is distributed throughout the truss because the load points are equally divided over the length of the bridge. By concentrating the load into a smaller area, the forces increase on key members of the truss. You have to design your bridge according to how it will be loaded.